Chronicle/Cory MorseA sign for The Magic of Magic upcoming exhibit at the Tri-Cities Historical Museum.

Chronicle/Cory MorseBrian Ahearne works on a sign for "The Magic of Magic" exhibit coming to the Tri-Cities Historical Museum. Ahearne is the co-owner of Media Rare, a Grand Rapids construction company that specializes in setting up museum exhibits.

GRAND HAVEN -- The Tri-Cities Historical Museum has something up its sleeve.

A new exhibit, titled "The Magic of Magic," takes visitors on a historic journey from the craft's beginnings in the ancient world to modern-day illusionism.

Dennis Swartout

It also explores the creepy world of the supernatural.

The exhibit, which is under construction, is set up to be a maze that leads people to storyboards, illusions and magic props in the second-floor Centennial Hall.

A members-only preview will be Feb. 28 and it opens to the general public the next day. Executive Director Denny Swartout said the exhibit will run through the fall and will include a schedule of magic shows and classes by area magicians.

Dim lights will help set the mood for a mysterious experience, museum officials said.

Be Mystified

What: The Magic of Magic -- The Art of Illusion in America 1860-Present. An interactive exhibit that explores the history of magic.

Where:The Tri-Cities Historical Museum, 200 Washington, Grand Haven.

When: A members only unveiling is Thursday; it opens to the general public Friday.

Features: Illusions, magic props, playbills, posters and magic shows.

Cost: Free.

The black maze walls will set an optical illusion backdrop to three-dimensional artifacts that play tricks on visitors' minds.

For example, there's a cutout of a house with a roof line that looks like it's angled outward -- but in reality, it's going inward.

Steven Radtke

There's also a box with a portal where you think you can grab a miniature pig -- but you can't. A series of mirrors tricks your mind into thinking the pig is within reach.

The maze leads visitors to a grand finale: a holographic image inside a stage of magicians doing tricks.

"People are intrigued by how the illusions work and the whole mystery and mystique around it," Swartout said. "It will play tricks on people's minds."

Radtke agreed.

"We want this to be a very dramatic exhibit," he said. "It will be dark and mysterious. You have a lot of things that surprise you as you walk through it."

Chronicle/Cory MorseJerry Adams hangs playbill examples Monday for "The Magic of Magic" exhibit coming to the Tri-Cities Historical Museum. Adams is the co-owner of Media Rare, a Grand Rapids construction company that specializes in setting up museum exhibits.

The exhibit includes playbills, posters and programs from local and national magician acts.

The museum is coming off its most popular exhibit, a miniature circus that had its curtain call in Centennial Hall last fall.

"We're certainly trying to live up to the reputation that we have created for ourselves," Swartout said.

Museum officials were contacted by West Michigan magicians Paul Critelli and David Odette of Grand Rapids, who wanted an exhibit to place a spotlight on the craft.

They have provided technical support and guidance along the way, officials said.

Chronicle/Cory MorseAn example of a poster advertising entertainer Schweizer Bellachini that will be part of "The Magic of Magic" exhibit coming to the Tri-Cities Historical Museum.

Radtke said museum officials came up with the concept of a maze and turned it over to Media Rare of Grand Rapids to design and build it.

Swartout said it was a natural jump because "just like the circus, virtually everyone is fascinated by magic."

Grand Haven has a connection to magic that dates back to the late 1800s, according to a storyboard in the exhibit.

At that time, there were magicians known as "40 Milers." They would travel that distance around their homes sharing their gift of prestidigitation.

Grand Haven's main 40-Mile Magic Man was Glaf Gylleck.

"It's an interesting story and there is a local connection. We just think it's going to be an unusual and provocative exhibit," Swartout said.

Meanwhile, a schedule will be set up for Critelli and Odette to have magic shows and educational classes for children. Magic sets will be for sale in the museum's gift shop.
As for the challenge of captivating audiences, Swartout said the exhibit will do that and more.

"The fun will be finding out what's around the next corner," Swartout said. "There's nothing that will jump out and scare you, but it's definitely going to have a darker mood."